Neighbors in the Williamsburg neighborhood of New York's Brooklyn borough said the turtle, named Myrtle, was found spray-painted orange in a backyard adjacent to a development, New York Newsday reported Tuesday.

Residents blamed the painting on construction workers at the development.

Meredith Chesney, a resident of the building next to the development, said the turtle is believed to have wandered into the construction site through a hole in the fence. She and others said the painting of the turtle was only the latest in a string of problems springing from the development.

"It's like Williamsburg has ever been full of natural beauty, but eventually you're able to see beauty in the ugliness," said Judy McGuire, a 12-year resident of the neighborhood. "But we have these little tiny bits of nature and beauty that just keep on being run over and destroyed and hurt. It's really disheartening."